The Buffalo Grove backfield sustained hit after hit in Friday’s loss at Hersey.
Star running back Tom Trieb was limited to a few snaps — and only at linebacker — due to a back injury he suffered against Elk Grove in Week 6. Backup Tyler Abdishi left the game with an injury on a wheel route, while third-stringer Sean Jacobs also hurt himself late in the fourth quarter.
“We were definitely hurting there a little bit,” Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Vlk said of his running backs.
But the Buffalo Grove offensive line kept plugging away.
The Bison’s offensive line is quietly leading the way for an offense that consistently put up points during the team’s six-game winning streak to start the season.
Although the Bison dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 33-14 loss to Hersey, Vlk praised the work of his linemen.
“Hersey has a well-disciplined defense,” Vlk said. “They are really well-coached and did a great job, but we are happy with our offensive line. We are happy with them. They did a great job against Hersey.
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“They did a great job protecting the quarterback and opening up holes. We just didn’t have enough in the tank.”
The offensive line has been a relatively healthy unit for the Bison (6-1, 2-1 Mid-Suburban East), who have had their share of injuries on defense as well. Through Week 6, Trieb and quarterback Connor Adams thrived on offense behind the line’s consistent protection.
The line — left tackle Max Merriott, left guard Tommy Konwent, center Joshua Bleichman, right guard Eddie Morelli and right tackle Alex Marchok — will get back to work next week against Wheeling (1-6, 0-3), with a game against Rolling Meadows (6-1, 3-0) to follow.
Merriott, a three-year starter, shifted from right tackle to left tackle this season after the graduation of Jack Merrill, a freshman lineman for the University of Chicago.
“I think the line is playing well, and the biggest part of that is our communication,” Merriott said. “Communication was a big focus of ours, starting in summer camp.”
Merriott, who is 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, said the second half of the Conant game and the entire Prospect game were the best performances by the offensive line this year. He pointed out the offensive line is adjusting to the increased expectations for the team, which hadn’t made the playoffs since the current seniors were in preschool.
“We have to maintain our confidence because we haven’t had a winning season on varsity for any of us,” he said. “Being in these high-pressure situations is new for all of us. We know we can do big things.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press